textproduct: Albany

WHAT HAS CHANGED

Increased wind/wind gusts for Saturday afternoon through Sunday, and lowered Saturday afternoon dewpoints slightly.

KEY MESSAGES

1) Gusty winds develop Saturday afternoon and continue into Sunday, along with rain showers Saturday night and Sunday, mixing with/changing to snow across higher terrain Sunday.

2) High confidence for below normal temperatures Sunday through early early next week, with widespread min temps dropping below freezing Monday night.

DISCUSSION

KEY MESSAGE 1...

Gusty southeast to south winds develop Saturday afternoon as low level pressure gradient tightens between departing ridge of high pressure and approaching cold front. Wind gusts of 25-35 mph will be possible Saturday afternoon and night, greatest within the Hudson River Valley, SW Adirondacks, and higher terrain areas of the Taconics/southern VT. Winds then shift into the west/northwest with/behind cold front early Sunday morning, with similar wind gusts (25-35 mph) expected, strongest/most persistent within the Mohawk Valley/Capital Region and Berkshires.

Rain showers will overspread the region from west to east Saturday evening and will continue through at least Sunday morning. As cold air moves into the region, precipitation will likely change to snow for elevations above 1500 feet, where some minor accumulations will be possible mainly on colder surfaces. Even in valley areas, some snow could mix in at times before showers taper off Sunday afternoon.

KEY MESSAGE 2...

Unseasonably cold air mass will move into the region Sunday and will persist through Monday, bringing below normal temperatures along with blustery conditions. Daytime highs will only reach the 40s for most valley areas and 30s across higher elevations, with brisk winds making it feel even colder (wind chills mainly in the 30s during the daylight hours and upper teens to mid 20s at night). Overnight lows should drop below freezing in most areas Sunday night, and especially Monday night when widespread 20s are expected with even some teens across portions of the southern Adirondacks.

AVIATION /18Z FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/

Mainly VFR conditions are expected through early tonight, though some brief MVFR Cigs will be possible through ~ 20Z/Fri at KPOU and KPSF. A few showers may also impact KPOU during this time. Later tonight, areas of low clouds are expected to redevelop and expand westward, producing MVFR/VFR Cigs. At KPSF, MVFR/IFR Cigs are expected later tonight, and some patchy drizzle could also produce MVFR/IFR Vsbys. MVFR Cigs should lift and become VFR between 13Z-15Z/Sat except KPSF, where MVFR Cigs may linger into early afternoon.

Outlook...

Saturday Night: High Operational Impact. Windy With Gusts To 32 kts. Likely SHRA. Sunday: High Operational Impact. Breezy. Definite SHRA. Sunday Night: Low Operational Impact. Breezy. NO SIG WX. Monday: Low Operational Impact. NO SIG WX. Monday Night: No Operational Impact. NO SIG WX. Tuesday: No Operational Impact. NO SIG WX. Tuesday Night: Low Operational Impact. Slight Chance of SHRA. Wednesday: No Operational Impact. NO SIG WX.

ALY WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

CT...None. NY...None. MA...None. VT...None.